Can testosterone supplements enhance your libido?
Testosterone supplements are rich in ashwagandha, shilajit, fulvic acid which increase the hormone in your body, which may boost your sex drive, but only if your decrease in libido is due to low testosterone.
Your lifestyle, medications, stress, and testosterone levels can affect your sex drive, sperm production, bone density, and muscle mass.
Due to decreased testosterone, you may experience a decline in sexual interest or changes in performance. These effects can affect your sexual relationships and overall well-being.
What is testosterone?
The two primary sex hormones in the human body are estrogen and testosterone. Males generally have higher levels of testosterone, while females usually have higher estrogen levels.
Testosterone develops sex organs, produces sperm, increases hair growth, builds muscles, and deepens voices.
Testosterone levels reach their highest point in the morning and gradually decrease by 1 to 2 percent each year after age 30.
Low testosterone signs
Common symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Reduced sex drive.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Decreased fertility in people assigned female at birth.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of bone and muscle mass.
- Reduced body hair growth.
Causes of low testosterone
Testosterone production decreases with age, but other factors can cause low levels.
Primary hypogonadism
Primary hypogonadism is when your testicles are underactive, caused by physical injury or cancer treatment, leading to lower testosterone production.
Some birth conditions can lead to lower testosterone levels. Klinefelter syndrome is a condition characterised by three sex chromosomes (X, X, and Y). Hemochromatosis, on the other hand, leads to excess iron in the blood.
Secondary hypogonadism
Low testosterone resulting from damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus is called secondary hypogonadism. The testes are regulated by two parts of the brain that control hormone production.
Secondary hypogonadism can occur naturally due to ageing or other causes.
Pituitary disorders can be caused by various factors, such as genetic conditions like Kallmann syndrome, which is linked to atypical hypothalamus function, as well as inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis that can damage the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. HIV can also have an impact on the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testes, while obesity can affect hormone production and response. Certain medications like opioids and steroids can also cause pituitary disorders, as can concurrent illnesses such as severe emotional or physical stress.
You can have low testosterone levels due to primary, secondary, or mixed hypogonadism resulting from damage to the testes or hormonal glands.
What are testosterone boosters?
Know that testosterone boosters are available as (OTC) supplements and do not need a prescription from healthcare professionals. These supplements can help you increase your testosterone levels naturally and safely. So, testosterone boosters are a great option to consider if you’re looking to improve your athletic performance, build muscle mass, or increase your libido. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.
These boosters often contain ingredients such as:
- zinc
- fenugreek
- vitamin B6
- Tribulus Terrestris
- magnesium
- boron
- diindolylmethane (DIM)
In general, high-quality supplements that contain the ingredients above are considered safe for consumption.
Do testosterone boosters work?
To date, there is limited research on the effectiveness of testosterone supplements in improving libido.
Recently, researchers evaluated 50 different “Testosterone booster” supplements. According to a recent study, out of the supplements that claimed to increase testosterone production, only 24.8% actually had data to support their claims. Additionally, 10.1% of the supplements contained ingredients that negatively affected testosterone production.
Of the supplements analysed, 13 products contained levels of vitamins and minerals exceeding the Tolerable Upper Intake Level set by the FDA. Some of these supplements could be harmful to your health if taken regularly.
Side effects of testosterone boosters
Testosterone supplements are often marketed as natural boosters that can improve your sex drive – but they may still cause side effects.
Side effects depend on booster type and dosage.
- Zinc can sometimes lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.
- Fenugreek is generally well-tolerated but may cause nausea and diarrhoea in some individuals.
- Vitamin B6 can cause nausea, heartburn, and difficulty controlling body movement if taken in excess.
- Tribulus terrestris has minimal side effects but can cause stomach cramps and reflux.
- Magnesium is safe, but excessive intake can cause low blood pressure, vomiting, nausea, and muscle weakness.
- Excessive Boron intake can cause headaches, kidney problems, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- DIM (also known as dimethylpolysiloxane) may cause instances of gas and headaches when consumed or used in high quantities
Taking the recommended dosage and not exceeding the RDA can help prevent side effects.
FAQs
Q. Is testosterone supplements safe for everyone?
A. Most people can safely take high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements, including zinc and vitamin B6.
Q. Can you suggest any other ways to boost testosterone levels?
A. If not suitable for testosterone supplements, increase levels naturally by getting more sleep and exercise, managing stress, and eating a balanced diet.
Conclusion
There could be multiple reasons for a decline in sex drive, such as stress, trauma, relationship problems, or decreasing testosterone levels. In case of low testosterone being the cause of your lowered sex drive, testosterone supplements may help to increase testosterone production. Other helpful measures could include therapy practising lifestyle habits like getting more sleep and reducing stress.
